The Scarlet PEBBLE

After fleeing with her lover to start a new life, Bunny wondered if she had done the right thing

Southampton was bustling, Bunny clinging to Karel as they stepped off the bus they'd caught in Tollington, her suitcase bumping against her legs.

First, they headed to Woolworth's, where Bunny bought a brass ring. Back on the street, she popped it discreetly onto her finger, Karel sighing, 'Soon as we get to Cape Town, Bunny, we'll exchange that for the real thing.'

She flushed with hope and pleasure, but replied, 'One step at a time. Next, we'll find lodgings to wait it out while you check when the ship is sailing and buy tickets.' Their eyes met, the enormity of the undertaking only now hitting home.

They knocked on lodging-house doors near the docks, Bunny doing the talking.

Many billets were already full.

Then, just as darkness was falling and they were leg-weary, her brass ring and Karel's dark good looks did the trick with a landlady called Mrs Hamm.

She brought them up to an attic bedroom and they took it for two nights, paying upfront.

Once they were alone, Bunny did some arithmetic and realised they only had enough money to stay for three nights.

'Not to worry,' said Karel, going to the window. 'Look! We can see ships' funnels sliding past the rooftops!' He turned with a smile.

'We're this close to our new life, Bunny. We can sleep in a park if we have to, until our ship sails.

She smiled back, his enthusiasm infectious.

Then they glanced at the narrow bed between them, Karel clearing his throat. 'I'll take the floor. Tomorrow, I go to the ticket office first thing and enquire about Cape Town.' She nodded with relief, having wondered how to broach the delicate matter of sleeping arrangements.

The night passed restlessly Street noises and lights unnerved Bunny, who was used to the countryside. Plus, she couldn't stop thinking of her father Leo arriving home that evening to discover their flit.